Official visit to the Republic of Korea

Topic: Report

7 February 2018

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Republic of Korea from 7 to 11 February 2018. The Federal President first met President Moon Jae in and talked to high level representatives from the Government and Parliament, as well as to active members of civil society. On the evening of 9 February, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender attended the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender are led through the Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul by Joshua Park, Director for strategic planning

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Republic of Korea from 7 to 11 February 2018.

On his official visit, the Federal President first met President Moon Jae in. He also talked to high level representatives from the Government and Parliament, as well as to active members of civil society. The Federal President discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with experts from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

On the evening of 9 February, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender attended the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang. Meetings with the Presidents of the IOC and the IPC were scheduled for 10 February. He then met German athletes and attended a number of tournaments.

Prior to this, Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Japan from 6 to 7 February.

Overview of the programme:

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

  • Afternoon
    Flight to Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • Seoul
    Visit to the Korea Furniture Museum
  • German Embassy
    Talks with representatives of political foundations

Thursday, 8 February 2018

  • Delegation hotel
    Breakfast with German business representatives
  • Tour of the Gyeongbokgung palace grounds
  • Official residence of the President
    Welcome by Moon Jae in, President of the Republic of Korea
    followed by signing of the visitors’ book and talks
  • Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of Korea
  • Seoul National Cemetery
    Wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Tower
  • National Assembly
    Talks with the Speaker of the National Assembly
    followed by a meeting with the Korean German Parliamentary Friendship Group
  • Visit to the Goethe-Institut to mark the 50th anniversary of its establishment
  • Delegation hotel
    Talks with members of the public involved in the candlelight movement
  • Delegation hotel
    Dinner with former Korean Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Unification
  • Visit to SJ. Kunsthalle

Friday, 9 February 2018

  • Seoul City Hall
    Welcome and talks with Mr Park Won soon, Mayor
  • Ceremony to award honorary citizenship of Seoul to the Federal President
  • Asan Institute for Policy Studies
    Address by the Federal President and discussion with experts on the security situation in East Asia
  • Train journey to PyeongChang
  • PyeongChang
    Reception hosted by the President of the Republic of Korea
  • Opening of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games

Saturday, 10 February 2018

  • Gangneung
    Luncheon with German athletes in the Olympic Village
  • Mountain Cluster
    Talks with Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee
  • PyeongChang
    Meeting with athletes in the Olympic Village
  • German House
    Visit to the German House
    followed by talks with Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee
  • Attendance of the women’s biathlon tournaments
  • Attendance of the men’s ski jumping tournaments

Sunday, 11 February 2018

  • Around noon
    Return flight to Berlin